Spoiler warning! This article will talk about Ted Mosby’s girlfriends. If you haven’t finished How I Met Your Mother yet, you can close this tab and return later!
Ah, Ted Mosby, the hopeless romantic protagonist of How I Met Your Mother, has had his fair share of romantic relationships over the course of the show’s nine seasons. From the one-night stands to the serious relationships, each girlfriend played a part in shaping Ted’s journey to meet the mother of his children. Here, we’ve ranked Ted’s most notable girlfriends from best to worst based on their compatibility with Ted and their overall characterization. Well, let’s not wait for a yellow umbrella or a blue French horn; let’s start right away!
1. Tracy McConnell (The Mother)
Tracy McConnell, introduced in the final seasons of How I Met Your Mother as the titular Mother, is unanimously seen as the best match for Ted Mosby due to their shared values, compatibility, and the significant character growth that occurs within Ted because of her.
Firstly, Tracy and Ted share a profound love for the little things in life, such as quirky facts, Renaissance fairs, and, of course, their shared fondness for coin collections.
We can also see their compatibility by the way they named their kids Penny, a reference to their love for coins, and Luke, a reference to Star Wars Luke Skywalker, they’re so nerdy, and I’m all for it!
Tracy also shares Ted’s romanticism, evident from her own yearning for ‘the one’, which aligns perfectly with Ted’s lifelong quest for his soulmate. They both appreciate deep emotional connections, poetry, art, and philosophy, setting the stage for a mutual understanding that Ted’s previous relationships lacked.
Finally, Tracy brings out a version of Ted that’s more content and less anxious about the future due to her illness. With her, Ted learns to appreciate the present and understand that things happen when they’re supposed to. His relationship with Tracy teaches him patience and lets him understand the true essence of love.
Their shared experiences of loss and longing, their ability to meet each other halfway in their quirks, and their shared dreams of a future together make Tracy the best girlfriend Ted had in HIMYM. Her introduction shows us that the journey might be long, and there might be heartbreak along the way, but in the end, you’ll find the one who’s worth every bit of the wait.
2. Victoria
Victoria, the cupcake baker, is widely considered one of the best matches for Ted. There’s an instant chemistry between them when they first meet at Stuart and Claudia’s wedding, and their relationship starts off on a note of playful mystery when Victoria chooses not to give Ted her name so that their romantic evening remains a perfect, self-contained memory.
Victoria is charming, warm, and independent, with a great sense of humor, all of which are traits that align well with Ted’s personality. Their relationship also possesses a depth of emotional connection and honesty that some of Ted’s other relationships lacked.
Importantly, Victoria is one of the few women Ted dates whom his friends genuinely like and accept, highlighting their compatibility not only as a couple but also within Ted’s social circle. They respect her, particularly after she moves to Germany for her career, demonstrating a strength of character and commitment to her dreams, which in turn, makes her an even more compelling match for Ted.
However, it’s also necessary to acknowledge their relationship’s complexities. Their long-distance phase, coupled with Ted’s mishaps, creates significant strain, eventually leading to their break up. Despite their eventual split, Victoria stands out in Ted’s romantic history as one of his most significant relationships, one that contributed to his growth and understanding of what he wanted from a life partner. So, without a doubt, Victoria is indeed one of the best girlfriends Ted had in How I Met Your Mother.
3. Robin Scherbatsky
Only coming in at third, this ranking might be controversial given that Robin is one of the main characters and Ted’s off-and-on love interest throughout the series (not to mention the one he presumably ended up with).
She was the woman that Ted was trying to chase from the very start of the show, and up until the end, she was still the one he chased (of course, that’s after Tracy was gone).
Let me tell you this, out of every woman that Ted dated, Robin had one of the strongest bonds with him, whether they were just friends or in a relationship, through all the ups and downs, they remained close friends that were always there to support each other, even after breakups and all.
Although up until the end, Robin and Ted had a mismatch regarding their views on marriage and having kids, that’s why I strongly disagree that they really ended up in the end. Although who knows, maybe Robin had a change of heart or maybe they compromised since Ted already had kids.
Whatever the reason is, their character development was destroyed even though it was sweet of them to come together in the end. But hey, couple or not, I know Robin and Ted have each other’s backs!
4. Zoey Pierson
Zoey Pierson, a character with strong convictions and a determined personality, left an indelible mark on Ted Mosby’s love life in HIMYM. Their relationship had a somewhat tumultuous start, given their opposing viewpoints on the preservation of the Arcadian building, a point of conflict that drove much of their narrative. Despite the professional divide, their common interest in architecture drew them together, sparking a romance that transcended their initial disagreement.
In the wake of their breakup over the same issue that first divided them, it’s easy to overlook the positives of their time together. Zoey was a well-rounded character who, despite their differences, played a significant role in Ted’s growth, both personally and professionally. She pushed him to challenge his views, to stand up for what he believed in, and to question the role he played in his community.
While their romantic relationship ultimately ended in heartbreak, Zoey’s impact was lasting. She symbolizes a period in Ted’s life defined by personal evolution and change, even if that growth was spurred by conflict and disagreement. I think it’s one of the most mature relationships Ted ever had, and it safely lands her on this spot of the list.
5. Stella Zinman
Ah, Stella, the dermatologist Ted met during a tattoo removal procedure. She was a significant figure in his life, as shortly after pursuing Stella, Ted quickly learns about compromise in a relationship, especially when things go a bit too fast, and Ted almost moves to New Jersey.
Surely enough, their love was strong that they went through all those issues, but then, Ted proposed to Stella, and they were set for marriage. Well, until things went a bit wrong, and Ted invited both of their exes, Robin and Tony.
Their relationship ended when Stella left Ted at the altar for Tony, and while I understand that those two were really for each other, what happened was truly and deeply messed up. Plus, to rub some salt and squeeze some lemon on that deep wound, Tony ended up making The Wedding Bride, which haunted Ted throughout the series.
6. Cindy
Cindy was the roommate of Tracy McConnell, The Mother, and was one of the students in the class that Ted mistakenly entered. While she and Ted didn’t date for long, due to him being a lecturer and her being a student, Cindy still played an important role in leading Ted to Tracy. However, Cindy and Ted didn’t share a deep connection or many common interests. I mean, even the things that Ted liked in Cindy’s room all belonged to Tracy. This, of course, led to their breakup.
7. Karen
An ex-girlfriend from Ted’s college days, Karen was snobbish and often condescending towards Ted’s friends. Her repeated cheating on Ted and their incompatible personalities make Karen one of the least suitable girlfriends for Ted. And that’s it. There’s really nothing to it. I’m guessing that if HIMYM happened in real life, Karen would probably still be the same.
8. Jeanette Peterson
As Ted’s last serious girlfriend before meeting The Mother, Jeanette was the epitome of a toxic relationship. Her overly possessive behavior and tendency towards destruction make her the worst of Ted’s girlfriends. I can’t even imagine how Ted must’ve felt.
Oh, and yeah, she was totally obnoxious, and I want to say the B word when she dropped Robin’s locket into the river and immediately told Ted, “I think we should get back together.” Good for Ted to dismiss her by then.
Conclusion
Each of Ted’s relationships, from the great to the downright terrible, played an integral part in his journey of finding true love. They taught him valuable lessons about what he wanted in a partner and made him realize the importance of timing, patience, and maturity in relationships.
At the top of the list, Tracy and Victoria were genuinely kind, and loving, and shared a strong connection with Ted. They valued the same things as Ted did and had relationships with him that were full of mutual respect and understanding.
In the middle, characters like Zoey, Stella, and Robin challenged Ted and helped him grow. These relationships were significant, and filled with strong emotional bonds, but were marred by fundamental differences or circumstances that made them unsustainable.
And finally, the last spots are reserved for Karen and Jeanette, the least compatible partners for Ted. They were marked by toxicity, lack of respect, and infidelity.
So, what do you guys think? Is there someone who should make this list at all? Do you agree with this ranking’s order? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for reading!
